He catches me without even thinking about it, steadying me like this is something he’s done before, like I’m not actively short-circuiting in real time.
I look at him. He glances back at me, and I’m aware of his big, big hand resting on the small of my back. If I could, I’d will it to slide into my skirt. To touch my bare skin.
Neither of us says anything.
His skin is still damp with sweat from training, breathing a little uneven and my brain, which should absolutely be filing a complaint at his odor, instead supplies the completely unhelpful thought that he… smells fucking hot.
Too hot.
Which is insane.
Because he just trained for hours. He should smell like shit, but he doesn’t. He smells good. And instead of being grossed out, I’m standing here wondering—unhelpfully, repeatedly wondering—what it would be like to pull him closer and not stop.
Am I losing my mind?
Yeah, I think I might be losing my mind.
Colton clears his throat and finally let’s go of me.
The minute his touch leaves my body I sigh deeply.
Will it always be like this? That tension that is almost unbearable? Every time he’s near me, electricity crackles between us, making it hard to breathe normally or think straight. I can’t live like this for a year. It’s not possible.
I watch Colton lean down and press a kiss to Livy’s head.
“Ew, Dad, you stink,” she says immediately. “Am I not beautiful or why are you kissing me now?”
He snorts. “You’re always beautiful. Good night,zaya.”
I say goodnight too and can’t help but laugh when she dramatically wipes the exact spot he kissed.
“Goodnight!” she calls after us.
We step out, and Colton reaches for the door but before he can close it, her voice cuts through the hallway. “No. Leave it open!”
He straightens instantly. “Okay. Okay, sorry.”
We both pause for a second like we’ve been personally reprimanded by a tiny dictator. Then he eases the door back just enough to satisfy her standards.
I turn to leave toward my room, fully planning on ending the day like a normal, functioning adult.
And then?—
It just slips out.
“Her teacher,” I say. “Ms. Carter. She’s…veryattractive.”
Oh…fuck. Where did that come from? I want to slap myself.
Colton looks confused. “Is she? I hadn’t noticed.”
Either he’s lying or he’s completely oblivious. I believe it’s the latter. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t realize how many women consider him eye candy. Too many, if you ask me. But no one asks. I shouldn’t even ask myself.
“Anyway,” I say. “Maybe we can sit together tomorrow to go over the case again.”
He nods. “Tomorrow, once Livy is in bed?”
“Sounds perfect.”
